Zuffa vs. HDNet: Motion to Dismiss Is Dismissed

by Luke Thomas on May 20, 2008 9:01 AM EDT in MMA News

Those aren't the exact legal terms of the victory, but HDNet claimed victory in court nevertheless. To wit:

Backed by Mark Cuban's HDNet Fights promotion, estranged UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture (Pictures) nabbed a substantial victory Monday in his ongoing legal dispute against Zuffa.

The District Court of Dallas County, Texas, denied Zuffa's three motions to stay, delay and/or dismiss HDNet's challenge of Couture's promotional contract, on which Zuffa says the fighter still owes two bouts.

The decision opens doors for the court to hear HDNet's motion for a summary judgment on June 2, a date that could conceivably offer resolution on Couture's standing as a free agent. Couture contends his promotional contract will expire in July, once the agreement reaches its 16-month conclusion.

What's interesting about all of this is that Couture and HDNet could win it all, thereby giving Couture the legal and promotional green light to host a Couture vs. Fedor fight. Then Fedor could conceivably lose his bout with Tim Sylvia in July, making the top dog at heavyweight (besides Couture himself) Nogueira. And where will he be? The UFC. Couture needs luck in more places than the courtroom.

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Value

Good point, but I don’t see a lot of people watching the Fedor/Tim fight anyway, so other than for those of us who are obsessive about MMA, I don’t think it really lowers the value of that fight. The fact that Randy/Fedor is a low-value fight outside of the UFC is the real problem.

And with Fedor fighting for multiple promotions, it’s not like he’s got to “earn” a fight against Randy. This is only a fight for a metaphorical belt.

But yeah: Tim is a HUGE risk to Fedor. Good defense, extraordinary range, and knock-out power. Tim’s made a career out of being such a different fighter that other people just don’t match up with him well.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.

by jemaleddin on May 20, 2008 10:57 AM EDT reply actions